A fire in the Olympic National Forest has grown to nearly 1,000 acres in size as more wildland firefighters rush to keep it from spreading further.

As the Maple Fire west of Hood Canal near Hamma Hamma, first reported Aug. 4, continues to spread, so, too, has the mobilization to contain it. Alan Hoffmeister, a Maple Fire spokesman, says nearly 300 wildland firefighters have converged to help the effort.

“We’ve been pretty successful in stalling any growth to the east,” he said. “That was our priority.”

The east and south fronts of the fire have largely butted up against forest service roads. Crews have successfully burned and cleared those as buffer zones, which have held thus far. Trickier is the fire’s undulating western edge, much of which is on steep, rugged terrain.

“There is no good, safe way to contain it on that side,” Hoffmeister said.

Firefighters do have three helicopters helping to douse the flames on the western edge, he added.

The fire continues to dampen air quality on the Kitsap Peninsula and wider region. The possibility of rain and lower temperatures this weekend are helpful but could also hinder certain firefighting efforts, Hoffmeister said. Up to a quarter-inch of rain could help snuff some of the blaze, but it also has the consequence of hindering firefighters’ own efforts using fire to clear areas and form a containment around the wider blaze.

“It’s a mixed blessing,” he said.

The fire has forced the closures of the Jefferson Lake trail, Elk Lake trail and the Lena Lake area, as well as several forest service roads.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation but is believed to have been caused by humans.